A frothy link to the past Historic site’s Brewing Experience revives techniques of the 1930s by Sandra Landen Machaj CORRESPONDENT
If you haven’t been out to Old World Wisconsin in a while, the main entrance will appear very different from your memory of previous visits. While Old World Wisconsin, on Highway 67 in Eagle, is known for its displays of historic buildings, 60 have been moved to this location and restored, there is now a large, recently built barn, known as the Brewing Experience Barn, sharing the entry space. “This barn, built on site, and the historic
Wittnebel Tavern moved from its original home in Old Ashippun are the center pieces of a new exhibit that is being created here at the entrance,” said Dan Freas, administrator of Old World Wisconsin. “Beer making has always been a part of Wisconsin’s heritage and culture so we are creating this new display to share the story of Wisconsin beer making.” The Brewing Experience Barn, which opened to the public on June 18, presents beer making just as it was in the 1930s. The experience recalls the traditional beer making and sharing a cold brew as the first keg was tapped and visitors grabbed the a beer and a bratwurst to enjoy while listening to traditional live German music – all part of Wisconsin’s beer brewing heritage. According to Freas, Old World Wisconsin chose the era of the 1930s
to focus on because it was a time of the rebirth of beer making due to the repeal of prohibition. Each day Old World Wisconsin is open, visitors may come into the barn and watch the historical brewing process. The beer at the Brewing Experience will be produced in small batches, cooked over the two large masonry fireplaces in the barn as the brewers work through each step of the process, while visitors watch. Visitors will be offered small samples of the beer created. This beer will not be sold to the public, as the license to produce it is a museum license not for resale to the public. Other local breweries beers will be available for sale at Old World Wisconsin. “The brewers will take the visitors through every step of the brewing process. They will assemble all the equipment before starting and all the ingredients
The recently completed brewing building at Old World Wisconsin historic site is shown lighted against the Wisconsin night sky. The building opened to the public this summer to share the brewing experience from the 1930s. COURTESY OF OLD WORLD WISCONSIN Spirit of Geneva Lakes
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